Best way to start seeds. Not new grower, just don't have luck with seeds

Alright, so I can grow the shit out of plants, but for some reason I can't get a good rate with seeds. I'm tired of wasting good genetics trying to get them to go. I've tried putting them in a glass of water until I see the tail, then plant them. I've tried rockwool PH'ed, soil and even those peat soil pellets. I didn't have good success with any of that. Got some, but nothing I would consider good odds. Just the other day I started 2 seeds with the paper towel method. One popped and the other didn't do shit. The one that popped I put into a peat soil pellet but nothing has happened. Hasn't grown, hasn't moved. What exactly am I doing wrong that my seeds tend to not want to start out? As I said, I'm 4 weeks into flower on my current grow and they are looking amazing, but for some reason I can't get seeds to start up right. What do you guys do and what are your success rates? Thanks.

I have a 100% germination rate with the glass of water method. Once they pop a foot, I put em in soil about 1/4"-1/2" deep with the knot side up and then I put a ziplock over the cup (I use solo cups) and a cfl or two over the ziplock. Then wait. Usually about a week or so. I've had a few not make it but they were just bad seeds. You shouldn't have that much trouble germinating. If the soil starts to dry out before they pop up, just keep it moist with a spray bottle

i used toilet paper. i take one square put it in the middle and fold it over and over until its a little square. put a little water on it until it soaked and then i put in a bottle cap. check it every day to make sure it not dry. i rip it open to see the seed and if its not popped i just push it back together. It usually takes 2-3 days. then i put it just below the surface of some soil and voila! Ive never had one not germ. out of 8 seeds

do you touch them or some shit? I use tweezers in case I have some toxic waste or something on my fingers

...i grow in coco hempy buckets so i choose to sow my beans directly into 9oz net cups filled with moist coco, ...note that i use a second cup as a temporary humidity dome which is removed as soon as the seedling emerges from the coco and when it is also moved down under the lights.







good luck, bozo

longarms90 said:

I have a 100% germination rate with the glass of water method. Once they pop a foot, I put em in soil about 1/4"-1/2" deep with the knot side up and then I put a ziplock over the cup (I use solo cups) and a cfl or two over the ziplock. Then wait. Usually about a week or so. I've had a few not make it but they were just bad seeds. You shouldn't have that much trouble germinating. If the soil starts to dry out before they pop up, just keep it moist with a spray bottle

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I just started a Himalaya Gold today, I will use your method. Cheers Longarms!

I agree never touch your seeds. You have oils and salts on your hands, if you smoke, tar. Yah use a tweezers.

IMO- I sow to soil, keep it moist, never wet. don't plant to deep 1/8-1/4" Put a light over the container.

Bam,
I've used peat pucks mostly but also had good luck with rockwool. It seems to me that warmth and moisture are all they really need.

One question I have is the source of your seeds. Older seeds require special techniques, if that's the situation. If all your seeds are from one seedbank...I'd be lookin' to switch sources.
JD

JohnDee said:

Bam,
I've used peat pucks mostly but also had good luck with rockwool. It seems to me that warmth and moisture are all they really need.

One question I have is the source of your seeds. Older seeds require special techniques, if that's the situation. If all your seeds are from one seedbank...I'd be lookin' to switch sources.
JD

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Nah, it's not the seeds I wouldn't think. I've gotten them all recently from Attitude and Herbie's. I just haven't had great success with seeds. Once they are a plant and actually growing I'm all good, for some reason getting the seeds to go has been my main issue. No idea why. I've tried to follow every example I've heard here. I wish I had a good dispensary close by. I'd just skip all that and go with clones. lol. I'll figure them out though. I must be doing something stupid wrong.

BB,
I figured that would be too easy an answer. I really can't imagine what the problem is. With warmth...they germ faster but still will germ without. Are you getting impatient and not giving them enough time?

Find a good relaible step-by-step set of instructions and follow then to a T. I've started seeds over the years in every different way except the glass of water thing. Never had any issues but I always add warmth. Good luck man...and start a clone Momma once you get a good female plant. Maybe you're right...clones are the ticket for you. lol
JD

Heat mat. They are amazing. Especially this time of year in the colder climates. Anybody can germ in the spring and summer when it's 85 degrees in your house. Right now in the room I'm sitting in it's 68 degrees. If I were trying to germ without a heat mat it would be tough.

BurlingtonBam said:

Nah, it's not the seeds I wouldn't think. I've gotten them all recently from Attitude and Herbie's. I just haven't had great success with seeds. Once they are a plant and actually growing I'm all good, for some reason getting the seeds to go has been my main issue. No idea why. I've tried to follow every example I've heard here. I wish I had a good dispensary close by. I'd just skip all that and go with clones. lol. I'll figure them out though. I must be doing something stupid wrong.

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if you are already using clones, why not just keep one for a mom and then take your own clones? ...no need to buy more clones and no need for seeds.

peace, bozo

drop them in a glass of water. cover the glass with foil or something, keep the glass dark. wait 24hrs, if the beans are still floating, stir up the glass. if the beans are still floating wait another 12hrs and then check back. as soon as the bean drops to the bottom of glass, it is fully saturated with water and ready to be sowed. sow 1/2" deep in the medium of your choice. keep medium moist but not soaked. sprout should pop within 3-5days but I have seen them take up to 2 weeks. this method has always had a good 98-99% success rate.

Bro just do this. Soak in cup of mineral water 18-20 hours. Then paper towel method. 2 sheets of kitchen towel below two on top quite wet but not drenched. 2 plates on either side. Every time I've done this they've shown the taproot within 24 hours and sprouted within the next 48. Keep it simple. Ive even handled seeds by hand (free seeds) and they all sprout. I use root it sponges.

seeds need moisture and heat. I like a simple mix not too rich.

Hi Bur,

There are so many factors that could come into play when it comes to seed germination. I am by no means an expert, but in my most humble experience I'd like to offer you a hard-learned, albeit, what some might consider a highly arbitrary/argumentive list, for your consideration:

1. Consider the age of the seeds. Seeds over 2 to 3 years old are going to have issues with germination, as well as being easily susceptible to attacks from various molds.

2. Lower temperatures are bad. A lower temperature leaves your seeds vulnerable to attack by various bacteria as well as lengthens the germination process. 70-80° F is best.

3. Look to see if there are any visible cracks in the seeds. If so consider them nonviable for the most part.

4. Heating mats are great IF you get one with a built-in thermostat. I have watched many a seedling perish due to the fact that there was no thermostat to regulate the temperature of the heating mat. Remember 80° F should be the maximum.

5. Avoid humidity domes. Rooted cuttings do well in humidity domes, so it goes to reason that so would seeds. But this is not necessarily true. Its best to keep an ambient humidity below 50%. High humidity levels invite fungus such as pythium and fusarium. If you do use a humidity dome keep fresh air coming in.

6 . Water quality is a must. Use mineral water if at all possible and check the pH level adjusting accordingly for soil, (6.5) or rockwool (5.. Although municipality water is fine in many cases, we have all tasted water that is barely drinkable due to the high levels of salt, minerals, chlorine, and other additives. My reasoning is that if it tastes bad to us; imagine what it must be doing to a seedling!

7. Don’t add nutrient solutions. Again, this is a highly debatable topic, but I'm of the firm belief that good water that is of the proper pH is really all that is necessary. The seedling contains an ample amount of hormones .

8. Be skeptical of starter plugs. Many are pre-fertilized, have high sodium levels, and also may have an improper pH to effectively meet the needs of your particular seedlings.

9. If you live in a freezing climate where your seeds have been left in the mailbox for some time, then let your seeds slowly thaw in the refrigerator.

10. Consider "scuffing" your seeds. Scuffing the hull of the seed with either an emery board or sand paper will help water to penetrate the hull and get to the embryo.

Last but not least, as much as I hate to say it, many growers seem to suffer from what I call O.C.D. (Obstructive Cannabis Delusion), in which the sufferer smokes so much that his/her arrogance takes precedence over logic. In other words, if I could receive a dime for every time I read, "100% success", I would never have to grow again. I would just have the dispensary deliver curbside for life. Scientifically speaking, NOTHING in life is 100% certain. So test, fail, retest, fail, test again, succeed and then retest once more because you don't believe the results of your initial success!

Good luck. Your brother in growing,

Gru

i just keep it simple either in a root plug or straight into a solo cup of coco.

urban wrote: solo cup of coco

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.

I challenge anyone to do an internet search "dead seedlings coco"

There have been at least half dozen threads this last week with problems starting in coco. There seems to be a myth out there that coco is the perfect noob media...but it is a very complex media and much understanding is needed to get it right.
JD

JohnDee said:

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I challenge anyone to do an internet search "dead seedlings coco"

There have been at least half dozen threads this last week with problems starting in coco. There seems to be a myth out there that coco is the perfect noob media...but it is a very complex media and much understanding is needed to get it right.
JD

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I had a problem growing in coco you have to add everything I had never grown in it and my plants almost died went back to dirt and never looked back. Root Riot plugs work great.

i don't know what kind of problems you guys are talking about but i've been growing in straight coco hempy buckets for almost 3 years now and i love the stuff, ...more importantly, my plants love it too so that's a win/win for me.

...in my first posting in this thread i already mentioned i sow my beans directly into moist coco and my seedlings seem to thrive in it as you can see in the pictures i posted in that posting.

here are a couple shots of some that were grown in 2liter coke bottle hempys from back when i was transitioning out of a cab and into a tent.











...i don't know man, i love the stuff, for me at least, coco hempy buckets have simplified my op and therefore reduced my workload while increasing my yields, for this lasy old bastard, that's a winning combination!

peace, bozo